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platform

platform

278 4.9
The basic computer system of hardware and software where applications run
  • noun
  • /ˈplætˌfɔrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plataforma
  • To encourage exploration, a variety of hardware, operating systems, gaming platforms, and tablets were provisioned.
  • an online platform
  • a mobile platform
  • computer platforms

We ended up designing an SMS based platform for cash transfers.

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Examples

  • Developers can create software that runs on this platform by using the specific operating system and hardware combination.

  • Many tweeters are using the microblogging platform to bring new life to history.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Youth play a key role in using this platform to share content with a global audience.

    Academic text (2013)
  • All teachers reported that they had used the online platform to analyze students' results.

    Academic text (2015)
  • - Well, Quick Snap Live is the most popular streaming platform my generation uses, so this is it.

  • You might also store your evidence on a private platform such as Dropbox.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Facebook is easily the most widely used social media platform, with 1.32 billion users.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Because shared stories, by nature, are interactive, they become an excellent platform for teaching emergent literacy skills.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The URI points to a landing page on the MyiLibrary platform rather than the book itself.

    Academic text (2013)
  • We are by no means suggesting that school librarians use an online platform to replace face-to-face collaborative efforts.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

operating system
vsplatform
  • Specialized
119 3.4

Software that controls a computer and lets other programs run

includes the software plus specific hardware as the base for applications
OS
vsplatform
  • Specialized
82 3.4

Software that controls a computer and lets programs run

is narrower and names only the software that manages hardware
stack
vsplatform
  • Specialized
15 4.1

A set of computer programs and tools used together to make applications

is about the underlying hardware and system software rather than application tool collections

Compounds

A document that lists the main goals and beliefs of a party or candidate

weapons platform
  • Specialized
2 5.9

A vehicle or structure that carries weapons for military use

drilling platform
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A large structure in the sea that holds machines and people to drill for oil

A raised place where people stand to look at scenery or events

1 3.0

A bed frame with a raised flat surface that holds a mattress without box springs

A chair that sits on a fixed platform and moves gently back and forth without sliding across the floor

space platform
  • Specialized
6.7

A station high above Earth where people live and do science

weapons platform
  • Specialized
7.1

Software or servers that attackers use to run cyber attacks

How General

cloud
  • Specialized
238 3.5
platform
  • Specialized
278 4.9

Surface Forms

platform singular
platforms plural

Morphology

platform = plate + form (semi-transparent) = plate + form + plate + form

The computing sense is a metaphorical extension ('base' on which things run) rather than a literal flat physical structure, so the relation is not fully derivable by learners.

Etymology

The word platform comes from the parts plat 'flat' and form 'shape', meaning a flat base. In computing a platform is the basic place (hardware and system) where programs run, like a stage or base for software.